Campus Climate

What Is Campus Climate?

Campus climate refers to the often invisible yet powerful characteristics of the campus environment that shape how students, faculty, staff, and visitors experience the university. It is influenced by institutional policies, practices, behaviors, and interactions, as well as individuals' perceptions of whether they feel welcomed, respected, supported, and able to succeed (adapted from Rankin & Reason, 2008).

While definitions vary across scholars and institutions, common dimensions of campus climate include access, safety, inclusivity, mutual respect, sense of belonging, positive morale, and the quality of the learning and working environment.

At Sonoma State University, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming campus where every member of our community feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. We strive to create an environment where individuals can express themselves freely, feel heard, and recognize the diversity of our community as a collective strength.

Explore previous Sonoma State University Campus Climate Survey reports and related resources using the links below.

• Spring 2021 Campus Climate Survey Results
• Spring 2023 Belonging and Inclusion: Campus Climate Survey Results